Looking back...

WARNING...PHOTO OVERLOAD...

What a year 2011 has been for the Lucas family. We have done so much - we have laughed, we have cried (way too much), we have had good times and bad times. It has been year when we realised just who our friends and our support were and exactly how much we cherished each and every one of them.

We spent as much time outdoors as we could - nowhere near as much as we wanted to but at least we got there. We spent time with friends and family.

The first half of this year was spent between Nowra and Berry looking after Mum and I am extremely grateful to my friends and family not just for the many words of encouragement, the drop off of food, the hugs and the help but mainly for your understanding when I didn't feel I could be stretched any further.
We watched our little puppy grow from a tiny ball of fluff we were given at last Christmas by Mum who knew we would need someone to cuddle when she was gone to a large ball of fluff who is now so much a part of our family it is hard to imagine life without him.
Tasha started high school (yikes) and Kyle went into year 9. We spent as much time with Mum as we could as a family storing up memories and looking after her as the confusion and pain became stronger and stronger. We also spent time with the rest of our family and loved their acceptance of us on good days and bad.

I changed jobs and am so thankful that this opportunity came up. Going back there has been kind of like coming home.

We got away for a weekend as a family to Sydney as we didn't want to travel too far. We went to the zoo and we saw Mary Poppins... Tasha loved watching Matt Lee dance.
We spent time at the beach - even taking Mum back to the beach for one last trip which was the one thing she really wanted to do. We all love the beach and being outdoors.

Kyles smile and hugs warm my heart each day. He greets me often during the day arms outstretched with hug ready to go.
On the 13th of May we said goodbye to Mum and once again were just surrounded by love and amazing friends. Can I say again how thankful we are for your support.

I spent time with my friends and had some great times with them as well as enjoying their understanding in the bad times.
Once again Tony bundled our family in the car for a drive down to Melbourne for a weekend when I was feeling so useless being so far away from friends who were having a horrid year to equal ours. Their 2012 should be much better for them as a family and I hope to spend time with them again this year.

We have enjoyed time outdoors. I have spent numerous hours watching dance lessons/ soccer games.

We entered trivia competitions (and won - go us!) with our wonderful friends and have had numerous catch ups, cups of coffee, drinks etc with these special people


What can I say about 2011. I hope we never have another like it. However the blessings that have come out of this time show me that God knew exactly what help was needed and placed it right where it would be most beneficial. The friends that have always been special to us have become even more so - simply for the care and understanding shown to us when... quite honestly... putting one foot in front of the other even seems too hard some days. My kids are my lifeline - without them I really don't think I would get out of bed each morning.

These last two pics are from my facebook page. I sometimes forget that some of my closest friends miss the entire part of my life that is shared my facebook ... although miss it is the wrong phrase as they are a part of my life every day and hear most of it first hand from me.

Below is photos that I think I have shown above... it is a random selection of pics from my facebook page
And this one is a random collection of my status updates over the past twelve months. It is good to look back and remember the past twelve months and to remind myself that we have laughed as well as cried and that we can go on.
Bring on 2012........